Folding table



(No Model.) 2 Shets-Sheet 2.

.H. AQTOBEY.

. FOLDING TABLE.

No. 285,526. Patented Sept. 25, 1883..

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIcE.

. HENRY A. TOBEY,

or DAYTON, OHIO.

FOLDING TABLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 285,526, dated September 25, 1883.

Ap plicafion filed April 30, 18%3. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, HENRY A. ToBEY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Dayton, in the county of Montgomery and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Folding Tables and I do hereby declare the following to be afull, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

The'object of myinvention is to construct a folding table which shall combine firmness and rigidity with simplicity of construction,which can be easily and quickly set up and folded, and which, when folded, shall occupy as little space as possible.

In the accompanying drawings,which illustrate my invention and m ake. part of this specification, Figure 1 is a side view of my improved folding table when opened and in position for use. Fig. 2is abottom view of it when opened.

' Fig. 3 isa bottom view with the-legs foldedinward. Fig. at is a view of the tablewhen entirely folded.

Like letters designate corresponding parts in all the figures.

The top of the table is cut longitudinally into equal parts A A, and the end rails, to which the legs B B O G are secured, are each likewise out transversely into parts D D of equal length.

The two parts D I) of each end rail are connected by a hinge, a, so placed as to be on the outside when the table is in position for use, and so that the two parts may fold toward each other. Each part D is hinged by hinges b b to the top A, the hinges being so situated on the inside angles formed by the end rails and the top that the rails will fold inwardly. For giving strength and firmness, a cross-bar in two parts, E E, is screwed to the two parts A A of the top, and its two parts are connected by a hinge, o. This cross-bar must be of a thickness equal to the thickness of the end rails,D D, so that the hinges ca and-c shall properly align. Otherwise the table could not be folded. One set of legs, B B, have gains d d at their outer edges, and the other set, C 0, have gains 6 c at their inner edges, to allow the folding and intermeshin g of the legs, and the legs preferably taper from the gains to the lower ends, as shown in Fig. 3. The legs should have a thickness in one direction not exceeding the thickness of I the end rails,D D,a nd cross-bar E, so as not to interfere with the compact folding of the table. The side rails, F F, are each hinged to the top A by hinges f f, situated at the outer angle formed by the rails and top, so that when the table is folded they may fold down outwardly away from the folded end rails and intermeshing legs. To each hinge is fixed a coiled spring, 9, which causes the side rails to spring automatically into position when the end rails are extended. Any equivalent arrangement of springs may be used; but I prefer the spring attached to the hinge, as it is neater and more compact. Catch-hooks hh on the end of each side rail engage in holes or notches 13 13 on the end rails, serving to hold the rails firmly in position when the table is in position for use. 5

These catches, preferably of metal, are sunk in the side rails, so that the rails, when in position to be folded, may lie evenly throughout their length 011 the top A.

When it is desired to open the table, allthat is necessaryis to open it into the p osition shown in Fig. 3. Then, by simply turning it the legs will drop into position of their own weight, and the side rails will spring automatically into position, engaging the catehhooks h h with the notches 13 i. To render it certain that the side rails will spring into position between the legs, the ends of each rail are chamfered, as shown in Fig. 3, so that before the legs have dropped to a vertical position the springs will cause the rails to enter between opposite legs and assist in causing the legs to assume the vertical position. When the table is set up it is practically as firm as a solid table. The hinges a a and c,which connect the end rails,D -D, and cross-bars E E, then open and shut in planes at right angles to each other, making it impossible for either to be turned, as they must lie in the same plane and be aligned before they can operate at all, so that as far as these hinges are concerned there is no lack of firmness or rigidity. As far as the legs are c011- cerned, when the table is in position for use which the legs are rigidly attached to the top, cannot possibly shut, as the end rails cannot rails, and the end rails and legs are prevented from being sprung outward, of which, however, there is little liability or danger, both by the hinges c c,which connect the end rails, to

move inward on account of the interposed side the hinges and the catches h h. When the table is folded its three dimensions are a length equal to that ofthe table, a width one-half that of the table, and a thickness double the thickness of the top, added to double the thickness of the end rails, a set of dimensions which'ren-.

der it of a convenient size for transportation and packing, and which could hardly be made more compact.

This construction is equally applicable to stools, settees, and similar articles of furniture.

\Vhat I claim as my invention is l. The combination of a table-top longitudinally divided, end railshinged thereto and con trally divided, hinges connecting the parts of said end. rails, a centrally-divided crossbar secured to said table-top, and a hinge connecting thetwo parts of said cross-bar, as described, the said end rails and the said cross-bar being of the same thickness,whereby the hinge connectingthe parts of said cross-bar may align with the hinges connecting the parts of said end rails when said end rails are folded, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination, with a divided tabletop, of divided end rails hinged together and to the top, as described, whereby they may fold inward, and side rails hinged to said tabletop,

as described,whereby they may fold outward, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination,with a divided table-top side rails hinged to the top,whereby they may fold outward, substantially as described.

4. The combination, in a folding table, of a divided top, hinged end rails, bearing intermeshing legs and hinged to the top, whereby they may fold inward, and side rails hinged, whereby they may fold outward, substantially as set forth. A

5. The combination of the divided tabletop, the divided end rails hinged together and to the tabletop, and the side rails chamfered on the ends, hinged as described, and provided with springs, whereby they may automatically spread open said end rails, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signaturein "presence of two witnesses.

HENRY A. TOBEY.

XVitnesses:

JOHN L. H. FRANK, CHARLES H. KUMLER. 

